As Lawrence Township continues work on its first comprehensive Master Plan update in decades, residents attending a June 11 public meeting focused less on planning documents and more on the growth and development issues already reshaping the community.
During the meeting at the Lawrence Township Senior Center, questions repeatedly returned to the proposed redevelopment of the former Educational Testing Service (ETS) campus, affordable housing obligations, traffic impacts and the possibility of future data center development.
The discussion comes after months of public debate surrounding the future of the ETS property, a site that could eventually accommodate approximately 800 housing units and play a major role in helping Lawrence meet its state affordable housing obligations.
The meeting featured Mayor Chris Bobbitt, Councilwoman Bonnie Giglio, Township Planner Elizabeth McManus and Mercer County Planner Maria Connolly.
Master Plan Intended to Guide Future Growth
While much of the discussion focused on current development concerns, officials emphasized that the Master Plan is intended to serve as a roadmap for Lawrence Township’s future.
The plan helps guide decisions related to land use, transportation, conservation, economic development and sustainability. It also provides the framework for zoning ordinances and serves as a reference during Planning Board and Zoning Board reviews.
“The Master Plan is a document that will be and is always adopted by the planning board,” McManus said. “It is used in land use ordinances, zoning ordinances, and also is used in the case of development applications that come to the planning board or zoning board.”
Lawrence Township last adopted a comprehensive Master Plan in 1995. The township completed a reexamination of the plan in 2023 and updated its Open Space and Recreation elements in 2020, but officials say a full update is needed to address current conditions and future challenges.
The new Master Plan is expected to include six major elements: goals and objectives, land use, circulation, conservation, economic development and sustainability.
McManus noted that the Master Plan does not govern county roads, state highways or school district operations, though those issues often influence public discussion about future growth.
ETS Development Continues to Raise Questions
Not surprisingly, much of the evening’s discussion centered on the former ETS campus and what potential redevelopment could mean for Lawrence Township.
Residents raised concerns about the proposed scale of development, traffic impacts and the number of housing units that could eventually be built on the site.
Several speakers focused specifically on traffic conditions along Rosedale Road and Carter Road, where many expect additional vehicle trips if the project moves forward.
McManus explained that any future development application would require extensive traffic analysis.
“They also have to include a traffic report,” McManus said. “They will address the anticipated traffic from every proposed use of property and will relate that to the roads in the surrounding area.”
She said those studies evaluate roadway capacity and intersection performance and can lead to required roadway improvements if traffic impacts warrant them.
At the same time, some residents argued that Lawrence needs additional housing options, particularly for younger families and workers who are increasingly priced out of the community.
“I want to make sure that we as Lawrence Township support affordable housing,” one resident said. “We should welcome all members to come live in our town. People can’t necessarily afford a $600,000 house. These are people who are police and teachers. These are the people that we want to come back to Lawrence and grow the next generation.”
The exchange highlighted a broader challenge facing the township as officials seek to balance growth, affordability and quality of life concerns.
Data Centers Emerge as New Concern
Another issue drawing attention from residents was the possibility of future artificial intelligence data center development.
Across New Jersey and the country, municipalities have begun examining whether existing zoning regulations adequately address data centers, which have generated concerns related to noise, energy consumption, environmental impacts and utility costs.
Although no data center proposals have been submitted in Lawrence Township, residents asked whether the township is preparing for that possibility.
Bobbitt said local officials have already begun discussing the issue.
“I’ve already had conversations with our engineer, planner, municipal manager, and council about this very thing,” Bobbitt said. “It’s one of those things whether we like it or not we’re using AI so how do we address this new reality?”
While Bobbitt said he does not believe a data center is likely to be proposed in Lawrence Township, he acknowledged that communities increasingly must consider how emerging technologies fit into long-term planning efforts.
Connolly added that many municipalities are waiting to see what actions the state may take before adopting local policies. Gov. Mikie Sherrill has advocated for increased oversight of data center development in New Jersey.
Next Steps
McManus said the next public meeting focused on the Master Plan is expected to take place in September.
That session will include additional opportunities for public comment and discussion as planners continue refining the document.
Township officials anticipate the updated Master Plan could be completed and adopted by the end of the year.
